Finding Common Ground: Mental Illness Recognition and Crisis Response for Law Enforcement

The need to assess the mental status and intentions of individuals has become a routine requirement of law enforcement officers. In the case of person’s diagnosed with mental illness, it is critical that officers are able to recognize when they encounter someone with these issues, and that the officers have the skills necessary to balance their personal and public safety concerns with the safety and care of the person with mental illness. In his work designing treatment programs for individuals with mental illness, Richard Crino, in partnership with police representatives and state officials from various departments, co-designed Rhode Island’s first crisis certification program for law enforcement officers. Crino’s landmark book includes segments of this program, providing officers with education in how to recognize various psychiatric disorders; how and when to use verbal techniques in crisis situations; violence prevention tips and strategies and much, much more.